Soccer Registrations Open July 30! New Division added!

The Pittsfield Family YMCA’s Youth Soccer League is an 8-week program from September 10 to November 3. This program is designed to be instructional in nature and non-competitive in practice in that the score is not kept. Children will learn fundamental soccer skills, the rules of the game and sportsmanship values by knowledgeable volunteer coaches. Register by Sept. 1.

Who: All boys and girls, ages 3 years old through 8th grade. Divisions: Tappers-Pre K (Ages 3 and 4), Mini Kickers (Kindergarten-1st grade), Kickers (2nd- 3rd grades), Juniors (4th-5th grades), NEW! - Seniors (6th-8th grades) Games: The soccer league will run from September 10 to November 3. Make-up games will be held on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. Practices: Practices will be held once a week for the Kickers, Juniors and Seniors only. Parents will be contacted by their coaches by September 8. Where: Berkshire Community College’s fields behind the Paterson Field House Contact: Lisa DeVergilio: 413-499-7650 x42, youthsports@pittsfieldfamilyymca.org

Additional Information: Children will be given a T-shirt with their team name and number on it, as well as an end-of-the-year award. It is the parents and players’ responsibility to provide shin guards. Knowledgeable volunteer coaches are needed! Please fill out the area on the registration form if interested.

Berkshire Bank Kids Triathlon Aug. 25!

Open to all boys and girls, ages 7 to 14 years old. Two age-based divisions: 7-10 years old and 11-14 years old. Boys and girls who participate in the 3rd Annual Kids Triathlon will swim 50 yards, run 0.5 miles and bike 2 miles around the picturesque Onota Lake at Burbank Park. Sponsored by Berkshire Bank, the race will start and finish at the Controy Pavilion where the award ceremony will be held.

One month left! Y-Athlon Volunteers Needed

Race day volunteers are needed to help make the Y-Athlon run safely and smoothly. The race is on Saturday, August 25 at the Onota Lake at Burbank Park. Volunteers are needed to flag and direct racers, set up, clean up, distribute and pick up chips, do body marketing, set up the race course, man the aide stations and help with the kids’ triathlon. Volunteer hours vary between 7 a.m. and noon. Volunteers will receive a T-shirt and lunch. If you are interested or for more information, contact Michelle Kettler at 413-499-7650 x33 or at mkettler@pittsfieldfamilyymca.org. Volunteers must be reliable, dependable and have great customer service. We greatly appreciate any help you can give us!

Interested in participating in the race as an individual or a team? Here is the info: http://www.pittsfieldfamilyymca.org/2011-berkshire-bank-y-athlon/133/ We hope to see you there!

Summer Swimming Updates: Our pool closed Aug. 6-20. Alternatives available!

YMCA Pool: In July and August, the YMCA downtown pool will close at noon on Sundays. The YMCA downtown pool will also close for our annual maintenance beginning noon, Sunday, Aug. 5 until approximately Aug. 20 at 6 a.m. Members can use the BCC outdoor pool and the Gladys Allen Brigham Community Center pool during this time. The Brigham Center is located at 165 East St in Pittsfield, MA. For more information you can visit their website http://www.brighamcenter.org/ or give them a call at (413) 442-5174. We appreciate your flexibility while we make our pool the best it can be for you!

The Berkshire Community College outdoor swimming pool is open all summer to Y members, Monday through Sunday, from 12-6 p.m. Bring your membership card for free entry. The only acceptable floatation devices are life vests and swim bubbles. Water wings are not permitted. Non-members pay $5/visit at BCC. For more information on the BCC outdoor pool: http://www.berkshirecc.edu/SwimmingPool We hope to see you at the Y soon! Have a great day!

TODAY: Track Thursdays Take Off and Third Thursday Thrills!

Track Thursdays start today at 6:00pm at the track at Taconic High School! Take your workout outside to the Taconic High School track! This class involves speed intervals to increase fat burn and pump up your cardiovascular system. There will be 30-40 minutes of interval training followed by a core workout and stretching. This class will bring your heart rate up to your potential and make you sweat. Meet at the start line, bring water and a watch if you can. The Taconic High School is located at 96 Valentine Rd. in Pittsfield, MA. This class is FREE for our members!

Stop by the Y on Third Thursday (Today!) for a free outside Zumba class from 6:25-6:45 p.m.! Also, pick up a lay for the Conga line from 6-6:30 p.m.! We hope you have a great Thursday! We certainly will!

New adult members: Join now for 90 Days for $90!

Looking to work out, shoot some hoops, or go for a swim in the largest pool in Central Berkshire C

ounty as well as have free access to BCC's outdoor pool? Maybe play some racquetball, take a Zumba class, or train for a triathlon? All of this and much more is available at the Pittsfield Family YMCA! New adult members can join this summer for 90 days for $90! Your membership gives you: A wholesome, family-oriented environment for you and your family. Reduced program fees for youth programs, including swim lessons. Access to Central Berkshire County’s largest indoor swimming pool (25 meters, 6 lanes). Summer access to Berkshire Community College’s outdoor swimming pool. A wide variety of FREE group exercise classes, including Yoga, Zumba, Boot Camp and Cycling. Free initial orientation to safely use our cardio- and strength-training equipment. Three racquetball courts. Family open swim time. Adult lap lanes. Use of state-of-the-art cardio- and strength-training equipment. Use of day lockers. Guest privileges. Participation in National YMCA’s AWAY reciprocal (Always Welcome at YMCA’s) program. The ability for youth members to bring one adult family member guest with them at no charge to use the pool, gym or racquetball courts. (Adult must be with youth member at all times.) Membership at the largest human service organization in the world. You can join by coming to our Welcome Center at 292 North St. in Pittsfield, MA or online at http://www.pittsfieldfamilyymca.org/memberships/ We hope to see you soon! This promotion expires August 31, 2012.

VOTE FOR US! $5,000 for the Y!

Thank you to those who have already voted! If you have already voted please let your friends and family know that they can vote for us. We would love to have their vote and support! $5,000 for the Y! Help us win $5,000 from Berkshire Bank Foundation’s Summer of Excitement Giveaway. The nonprofit organization with the most votes will win $5,000! In order to vote, you need to follow the below instructions from your computer: 1. Go to www.facebook.com/BerkshireBank and click “Like”. 2. Click on the page tab “Vote Here” “Summer of Excitement” (below the “Like” button) 3. On that page, click on “Enter Sweepstakes” and then “Go to App”. 4. Enter the Pittsfield Family YMCA as your favorite nonprofit organization, along with your basic contact information. (Contact information is only needed for verification purposes.) 5. Click Submit. One vote per person. Vote now to help your Y! Thank you for supporting the Y!

Third Thursday July 19!

Stop by the Y on Third Thursday for a free outside Zumba class from 6:25-6:45 p.m.! Also, pick up a lay for the Congo line from 6-6:30 p.m.!

Saints Football Sign Ups!

Saints Football

The Pittsfield Family YMCA offers a traveling football league! Your child will learn teamwork, sportsmanship values and the skills and rules of the game in this competitive program. The Y’s teams will play other teams throughout Berkshire County. All home games and practices will be played at Ponterril. Deadline to register: Aug. 31.
Ages
Children ages 7-14 years old. See below for our age-based division categories.
Important Dates
Starting June 11: Register at the Y, 8 a.m.-10 p.m. any day except Sunday
Aug. 7: Tuesday, 5 p.m. Peewees equipment pick up at the CYC
Aug. 8: Wednesday, 5 p.m. Seniors equipment pick up at the CYC
Aug. 9: Thursday, 5 p.m. Juniors equipment pick up at the CYC
Aug. 13: Monday, 5 p.m., First practice – with no equipment – at Ponterril
Aug. 21: Delegate/head coach/parent meeting at Ponterril during practice.
Sept. 2: Sunday, 8 a.m., Jamboree at Taconic High School, Pittsfield
Sept. 9: First Game
Divisions
· Peewee: ages 7-9 years old. This is a development group in which no score is kept.
· Juniors: ages 10-11 years old
· Seniors: ages 12-13 years old or 14 years old if in the 8^th grade
**To participate, children must not be older than 9 years old for the Peewee division, 11 years old for the Juniors division and 13 years old for the Seniors division – on or before August 31. However, 12-year-old players under 85 lbs. may elect to play in the Juniors division.
Cost
$100 which includes a complimentary annual youth membership to the Y!
Contact
Peter Bondini: P264180@aol.com or 413-443-0674
Sharon Henault: sharonhenault@yahoo.com or 413-446-5676
Additional Info:
You must bring your receipt for equipment pickup. New players must present a copy of their birth certificate. Returning players do not need to provide a birth certificate.

Y-Athlon Volunteers Needed!

 Looking for a fun way to give back or help out?

Race day volunteers are needed to help make the 10th annual Berkshire Bank Y-Athlon run safely and smoothly!

Volunteers will receive a free T-shirt and lunch!
The race is on Saturday, August 25 at the Onota Lake at Burbank Park.

Volunteers are needed to flag and direct racers, set up, clean up, distribute and pick up chips, do body marketing, set up the race course, man the aide stations and help with the kids’ triathlon.

Volunteer hours vary between 7 a.m. and noon.

If you are interested or for more information, contact Michelle Kettler at 413-499-7650 x33 or at mkettler@pittsfieldfamilyymca.org.

Volunteers must be reliable, dependable and have great customer service.

We hope to have you help us!

Summer Camp Field Trips

Thank you Greylock Federal Credit Union for helping sponsor our summer camp field trips this summer!

Here is a schedule of our upcoming trips:

Pittsfield YMCA Camp Sumner Field Trips

                             Leaving           Returning    

7/20 Tanglewood      9:15                 3:30

7/26 Jiminy Peak      10:00               1:00

8/2 Barrington stage    1:00                 3:30/4

(Whole camp 2 buses)

8/9 Jacobs Pillow      9:30                  3:30

8/16 USS Slater        9:30                  3:00

8/23 Bousquet           9:30                  3:30

Our camps develop the necessary building blocks for youth development by providing a safe, creative learning environment for young people to feel empowered, build self-esteem, explore personal interests, develop interpersonal skills and make lasting friendships and memories.

OVERVIEW

• Who: For children ages 5 years to 9^th grade
• When: One-week sessions: Mon–Fri, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. from June 25-Aug. 31
• Where: BCC’s Paterson Field House
• Rate: All campers must have a Y membership to attend camp. Camp cost: $120/session.
  One-time annual youth membership fee: $36.
• Specialty camps: Junior Golf Camp (ages 6-13 years) and Leaders in Training (entering grades 7-9) are also available.

To register for camp come to our Welcome Center at 292 North St. in Pittsfield, MA! For more information contact Earl Persip (413) 236-1675 or epresip@pittsfieldfamilyymca.org

Vote for us! $5,000 for the Y!

Help us win $5,000 from Berkshire Bank Foundation’s Summer of Excitement Giveaway. The nonprofit organization with the most votes will win $5,000! In order to vote, you need to follow the below instructions from your computer:
1. Go to www.facebook.com/BerkshireBank and click “Like”.
2. Click on the page tab “Vote Here” “Summer of Excitement” (below the “Like” button)
3. On that page, click on “Enter Sweepstakes” and then “Go to App”.
4. Enter the Pittsfield Family YMCA as your favorite nonprofit organization, along with your basic contact information. (Contact information is only needed for verification purposes.)
5. Click Submit.
One vote per person. Vote now to help your Y!
Thank you for supporting the Y!

We would also love it if you "Like" our Facebook page while you're there! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pittsfield-Family-YMCA/260398555463




 

Berkshire Bank Awards Us a Generous Grant!

The Pittsfield Family YMCA is proud to be the recipient of a $10,000 grant from Berkshire Bank to be used for capital improvement.

Specifically, the grant will be applied toward upgrading the Y’s HVAC.

Peter J. Lafayette, Executive Director of the Berkshire Bank Foundation stated “We are pleased to make this grant to the Pittsfield Family YMCA to carry out climate control improvements which will result in energy cost savings and help ensure a comfortable environment for its users. This is an important downtown Pittsfield institution and we want to do our part to help it stay strong and responsive to community needs.”

The Y plans to make these renovations in the near future and also plans to raise additional capital grants to do other improvements.

“We are proud to have received this generous grant from Berkshire Bank,” said CEO and Executive Director Randy Kinnas.

“Our members have voiced, and these improvements will make a difference in our members’ and guests’ experience with us while helping us to continue our mission of strengthening our communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility,” Kinnas said.

Berkshire Bank Foundation Inc. and Berkshire Bank Foundation – Legacy Region the charitable arms of Berkshire Bank, America’s Most Exciting Bank^SM, are leaders in philanthropy and community involvement.  The foundations’ mission is to enhance the quality of life in Berkshire Bank’s footprint by providing priority funding to education and community/economic development projects.  They also fund programs dedicated to the arts, education, and human services. Each year the two foundations award nearly $1.3 million to nonprofit organizations in their footprint.

In addition to monetary giving, the Berkshire Bank has a large Employee Volunteer Program that carries out group community service projects benefiting schools, non-profit organizations and communities within the bank’s service area.  In 2011, Berkshire Bank employees completed 67 volunteer projects in which over 50% of Berkshire’s employees participated donating over 26,000 hours of service through both company-sponsored and individual volunteer efforts to help their local communities. The American Bankers Association honored Berkshire Bank with their National Certificate of Recognition for Community Involvement through their Community Bank Awards program in early 2012.
For more information, visit www.berkshirebank.com/foundation, “Like” them on www.facebook.com/BerkshireBank or email foundation@berkshirebank.com

News and Notes

We hope everyone had a great 4th of July and we hope to see you at the YMCA soon!

Thank you Berkshire Bank for your grant for capital improvement. We appreciate your help in continuing our mission!

By popular demand, we opened up a second session for Pike and Polliwog swim lessons! Sign up now!

The BCC outdoor pool is open for use by all YMCA members. Guests can use the BCC outdoor pool too for a small fee. Please note: at the BCC outdoor pool the only acceptable floatation devices are swim bubbles and life vests. Swim bubbles can be purchased at our Welcome Center.

Have a great day!